Asylum seeker jailed for Rotherham rape

An asylum seeker who dragged a mum into a South Yorkshire car park and raped her after a night out has been jailed.

Alan Ahmed, aged 39, attacked his victim after she got separated from friends when she went to buy food.

Ahmed pulled the 31-year-old mother down a street and tried to have sex with her, before forcing her into a car park and raping her.

The court heard the woman has twice tried to take her own life since the attack in the early hours of August 10, 2013.

She said she struggled to sleep and has not socialised since the attack.

Nicola Quinney, prosecuting, said: “The victim said she is a shadow of her former self and her children have commented on that.

“They are asking where their old mum has gone and saying they want her back.”

Miss Quinney said the woman was out with friends on Broad Street, Rotherham, when she went outside for a cigarette and then to buy some food.

She was sitting on the floor because her leg was hurting when Ahmed approached her.

He pulled her to her feet, grabbed her wrist and dragged her down the street.

There he sexually assaulted her and pulled down her trousers before attempting to rape her.

The he pulled her into a car park on Greasborough Road and raped her.

After the attack, the woman flagged down a nearby jogger and Ahmed, from Kurdistan, fled the scene.

Police carried out extensive enquiries and CCTV images of the suspect were released.

Ahmed, of Spalton Road, Parkgate, Rotherham, was arrested after a member of the public reported that a man wearing the same hooded top as shown in the images walked down Broad Street every day.

He denied the offence, but, after being shown DNA evidence, told police his victim had initiated sex.

Ahmed, who has no previous convictions and has lived in England for seven years as an asylum seeker, admitted rape.

Jailing him for six years, Judge Sarah Wright said: “These offences involved abduction and detention and it was a sustained incident.

“Your actions had a profound effect on her and what you did will live with her for the rest of her life.”

Detective Constable Rachel Morton said: “I hope the sentencing brings some form of closure for the victim, who has been through a deeply traumatic experience and has demonstrated tremendous courage throughout our investigation.

“I must also thank the media and members of the public who assisted us with our enquiries by sharing the CCTV appeal.

“The information we received directly contributed to officers locating and arresting Ahmed.”